Critic’s Cupboard: McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich

Thursday

Jun 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMJun 26, 2008 at 2:07 AM

Evaluating McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich.

Spatula Up

Jim Hillibish: There’s a war out there, and it’s clucking. McDonald’s is playing chicken with Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken sandwich. The big gun is the new Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, a worthy fighter.

This is a very simple weapon, part of a chicken breast fried and served on a sweet bun with dill pickles. It looks like a smaller Chick-fil-a, and the price on both is almost the same ($2.89-$2.99).

The Mac attack is slightly inferior. It’s drier than the Chick, which has a fresher flavor. Both are seasoned, the Chick a little stronger. Both come on buttered buns. The McDonald’s offers flavor very similar to the Chick’s, tender meat and a welcome relief from hamburger.

The Chick is better packaged for take-out in an insulated envelope. The Mac comes in the usual box.

At 400 calories, the newcomer is 10 less than a Chick-fil-A and 140 less than a Big Mac, but almost as filling. It’s 130 calories less than McDonald’s Premium Crispy Chicken. The sodium is 1,030 mg., close to half your daily recommended allowance.

It comes in a breakfast model on a biscuit. Now, that one’s really crying for gravy. Chicken for breakfast? Why not?

P.S. Expect more new Mickey D chicken offerings in August.

Spatula Up

Jennifer Mastroianni: This new chicken sandwich from Mickey D’s is one tasty sandwich. Plain and simple, yes, but tasty.

It comes with just two pickles on a buttered bun (not a sesame seed, but the fish sandwich bun), so the meat is showcased in a way we are not used to seeing at McDonald’s. Let’s face it, we’re used to special sauces, a gob of tartar sauce, and ample layers of condiments.

The breading is especially delish. It’s not the thick crunchy breading you get on the traditional deep-fried chicken sandwich. It’s a lighter, crispier coating. Almost like a beer deep-fried beer batter.

I’m lovin’ it.

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